Labor Day

“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

One of the only holidays dedicated to the “common man”. A celebration of the dedication, innovation, resolve and plain hard work of the men and women that make this country function – the American worker. It began as a day to honor the workers with a parade and a festival, and to give them a greatly deserved day of rest and relaxation; a day to show them that their efforts were not in vain.

The Bible talks a great deal about “labor”. Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (Genesis 2:15) The Israelites were forced into slave labor (Genesis, Exodus) and after their deliverance, there were commanded to take a weekly “labor day”, otherwise known as the Sabbath day (Exodus 20:9). Solomon warns that laziness will end in slave labor (Proverbs 12:24). The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us that the rewards of our labor are all meaningless…after all, you can’t take it with you (Ecclesiastes 2 and 5); yet we are encouraged to work with all our might (Ecclesiastes 9:9).

In the New Testament, we are called to a different kind of labor. We are encouraged to labor in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58) with a goal of presenting everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:29). We are to persevere, holding out the Word of Life, evidenced by our sacrifice and service, so that we will not have labored in vain (Philippians 2:14-18).

As we struggle through this life, striving to become more like Christ Jesus, we do not get to take a holiday from Christianity. We must work hard to fight the good fight, never giving in or giving up. We must never grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), for we will one day get to rest.

Our “labor day” still lies ahead. I look forward to that day!

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." (Revelation 14:13)